Raleigh, NC Nannies

First and foremost, I am the oldest of 4 children, and there is a big age difference between myself and the youngest (13 years) so I have practically been a "second mom" to him. I have been babysitting since I was around 11 years old. I remember my first real babysitting sitting job as if it were yesterday. I was so nervous, yet I survived (plus I was only 11 and could be trusted.)
I have taken an American Red Cross Babysitting course and became first aid/cpr certified. I had a variety of babysitting jobs over the years, mostly for the same families. I also did a lot of childcare work at the church I attended in my hometown.Not only did I volunteer in the nursery, but I was also paid to come in once a week for a lunch-time Bible study to watch the children. The age ranges were from 1 - 12.
I also was a sub at a daycare for a few months while I was in college. The most consistent job I had in college, and I refer to it as being a nanny, was with one family. I originally started out just babysitting the kids here and there ( 4 kids ages 2, 3, 5, 9 (2005) while the parents were out and about. Then it led to spending the weekend at their house watching the kids while the parents were out of town. The father was a pastor-- and he started his own ministry right before the summer of 2006. That was a busy summer and I practically lived at their house. The parents would be gone for days at the time -- 2 weeks at the most. I would stay at the house and fill the role of "mom". Sometimes it would just be the two "babies" who are know 5 and 6, but mostly it was all four. Things may have gotten crazy at times with four kids all under 10 and 3 under 5, but I learned how to manage time very well and learned the true meaning of patience. Those kids taught me so much, and now that they have moved away I miss them dearly!
I was a nanny for a wonderful family for around 10 months. It started out as a full-time nanny share, then went to watching just one family part-time. After my dad passed away in December 08, both myself and the family knew it was time for me to find something else.
I nannied part-time for one child from September 2008-March 2010. She was one month when I first started.
I began a full-time nanny position the end of March 2010 for a wonderful family who at the time only had 2 children ages 18 months and 4 months. 5 years and one more child later I am finishing up my time as their nanny. The children are now 6.5, 5.5 and 3 years. Through these last 5 years I have watched these children grow. I not only played and interacted with them daily, but we were always learning. I did pre-school curriculum with them as well as helped start the homeschool process this past year with the oldest for kindergarten. The only reason this position is ending is because the mom is now able to stay at home with the children. I was not just their nanny but a member of their family.

My nanny experiences began at the young age of 10 years old. I was the neighborhood babysitter. I was a big sister at the age of 9 so I gained early experience helping my mother take care of my little sister. My experiences continued in college, working at different camps and community centers. I was a nanny for a family of 5 after my first year in college. I worked at community centers in the summers each year while in college. I was a xx camp counselor at xx camp in Colorado. In 2005, I was a nanny for 2 different families. One family had 3 boys with one girl on the way. The other family included a 5 year old and 3 month old. I worked for both of these families for just over a year. I was a nanny for a Raleigh family, the xx, in 2009-2010 for a 3 month old boy. I continue to help the xx from time to time. Currently, I help the owner of xx for her 5 year old and 11 year old children on an as needed basis. I babysit for various families in the evenings when needed. Being a nanny has always been my favorite and most rewarding job.
In addition to my childcare experiences, I am an aunt to 7 neices and 7 nephews ranging in ages from newborn to adult. I have been active care taker in the lives of my neices of nephews beginning from birth and continue as some of them are now adults. My best friends from home has me listed on their will as the legal guardian for their 3 year old daughter, Stella. It was quite an honor when they asked me to be a legal gaurdian for Stella.
As a nanny I encourage active play and activities such as art, music and reading. I like to do games with children such as, scavenger hunts, swinging statues and board games. I advocate healthy eating habits and being outdoors as much as possible. I am a kind, tidy, creative, patient, mature and active nanny with mid-western values. I will provide the best childcare for your family, while guiding your child/children in their development.The families I have worked for have been exceptionally happy with the childcare I provided and I have exceeded their expectations. In return, I have been honored to be part of loving and caring families.

I have many years experience in raising my own children and working professionally with children as case-manager as well as working with children with behavior, ADD and various other challenges. I have also worked typical developed children as well. I have Nannie'd and private tutored children and use a loving, gentle and kind approach in modeling for children that every moment is a "teachable" moment. I have taught children to read and write as early as three (including my own children) using the teachable moments techniques combined other reading tactics. But feel it's important to adapt to each child's needs and learning abilities to ensure they have the highest possible of success and growth!
I am also a grandmother (young grandmother) but have found since my grandchildren have moved to another state, as was recently laid off, I've longed to provide that nurturing and guidance that children not only require but adore if done with a patient loving and kind approach.
I was asked recently if I spank children. I DO NOT spank nor use corporal punishment and feel it's not important make a big deal out of children's mistakes, but instead, I DO use every possible moment to teach children to be successful by role modeling a kind and caring disposition so that if a child does make a mistake, we can work it out in the most loving possible manner to ensure they learn and grow from their mistakes.
I do utilize games, felt boards, flash cards, and other forms of learning and fun materials depending on the child/ren ages and am open to learning and/or taking on other forms of teaching materials that allow your chil/dren to be as successful as possible! I capitalize on the current events, seasons, children museums and most any "hands on" activity that allows children to learn in the most effective and interactive environment.
As for Arts...I do love Arts,crafting, music, dance, and am able and willing to teach or learn to teach and cultivate any such interests in your children.

For at least the past six years I have cared for my friend's children who are now ages 15 and 17. These are both wonderful girls. Their parents traveled once each year internationally and their girls were left in my care for the 5 to 7 days they were gone. I cared for them as though they were my own. And through them, I met and cared for three girls, ages 5, 8 and 10 --- now 9, 12 and 14. I cared for these children while their parents traveled. In all three instances, I took care of every aspect of their days. I awakened them, made them breakfast, made sure they were dressed properly for school, drove them to school and/or bus stop, drove them to activities, took them to church, to dinner, to parties of friends and everything else involved in caring for their needs .... Laundry, ironing, meal preparation, grocery shopping, etc.
I also took care of a family of 4 children during the spring and summer of 2006. These are the Irvines. They have three girls and one boy. The girls were ages 5, 10 and 12; the boy was 8. I lived in the house with the children and their divorced mother, Susan Irvine. I awoke with the children, made breakfast, dressed them for school, took them to the bus and drove the youngest to school. I was responsible for almost every aspect of their lives from grocery shopping, preparing meals, doing laundry, taking them to activities, helping with homework and projects and making sure all school work was completed well and on a timely basis. I loved being with them, and I do believe they felt the same way.

I have been babysitting since the age of 14 and have cared for children in daycare for the infant and toddler age. For the past 3 1/2 years I worked as a Child Life Specialist. I ran the playroom, provided education for the kids for surgeries and procedures, and support for families of children with cancer and other chronic illnesses.

I have babysat since I was eleven years old and was with the family I began with from 2001 to 2011. They have four boys. I have also babysat for another family they referred me too from 2005 to 2011. They too had multiple children. I have babysat ages from infancy to 14 years old. I cook, clean, help with homework, provide learning exercises and various interactive games indoors and outdoors. I like to take children on walks, to parks, and museums. I believe learning is fun and love arts & crafts. I manage well with multiple children (same and different ages). I have cooked many meals and helped clean the houses of the people who I babysat for.

As a parent, it’s natural for you to ask your nanny for a little extra help around the house. However, the boundaries for a nannies duties vary from person to person. In general, a nanny is responsible for making sure your children’s needs are met. This includes things like ensuring they have opportunities to play and be active, that they have a healthy diet and a sanitary home. When tasks go beyond child care, for example scrubbing kitchen counters, folding laundry, gathering groceries, or teaching a language, you will likely need to provide additional compensation.

How can I ensure I have a great relationship with my nanny?

To start, it’s important you set expectations and are aligned on compensation from day one. This includes outlining vacation days, a protocol for sick days, and everything else you would want your own employer to cover. From here, spend time getting to know them. Take your nanny out one of Raleigh’s great restaurants, learn about their childhood, and discuss your parenting philosophy. Finally, be sure to resolve conflicts as they arise. Open communication is crucial to ensuring a healthy long-term relationship.

Questions to ask prospective Raleigh Nannies:

Have you been a nanny previously? How long did your employment last?

Are you trained in First Aid or CPR?

How would you handle a situation where our child began choking?

How do you handle tantrums? Can you share an experience disciplining children?

What sort of household tasks are you open to doing?

Are you open to a live in arrangement?

Do you plan to work for our family over multiple years?

Do you have a driver's license in North Carolina?

Do you own a car? Do you have work experience in Raleigh?

How flexible are you on weekends and evenings?

What salary are you seeking? Are you comfortable being paid by direct deposit?

Are you able to help with food preparation?

What could you cook for a child aged 2-5? Do you know how to make baby food?

Are you comfortable facilitating play dates?

Have you ever potty trained a child before?

Have you worked with newborns? Do you know how to change a diaper and prepare formula?